Apple’s new patents hint networked iPod

Earlier this summer, my Business 2.0 colleague, Paul Sloan had penned a wonderful story on what Apple might build next. He had speculated, with lots of reporting that video iPod with content from Disney could be on cards. Well, that has come true. In the story, he also hinted that Apple might build a WiFi-enabled iPod, that would allow consumers to buy music when connected to say Starbucks WiFi.

Recent trademark filings, as reported by AppleInsider show that the company might be headed in that direction. The filings are for something called Vingle, which is “Telecommunication services, namely, electronic transmission of streamed and downloadable audio and video files via computer and other communications networks.” Further the application describes Vingle as “an audio entertainment service that may be available in its retail stores.”